Chapter II: Part 2

On the 24th of August, they perceived Jupiter; and the sight of a star was now become almost as extraordinary a phenomenon to them, as the sun at midnight had appeared on their first getting within the Arctic circle. For some part of their voyage back, the weather was very fine; but, from the 7th of September, when they were off Shetland, till the 24th, when they made Orfordness, they had hard gales of wind, with little intermission. In one of these violent gales, accompanied by a heavy sea, they lost three of their boats, and were obliged to throw two guns overboard.

Thus ended this famous voyage; happily, without the loss of a single person: and which was so far successful, at least, in accomplishing it's object, that it seems to have satisfactorily negatived the long-agitated question concerning the practicability of a north-east passage into the Pacific Ocean. Perhaps, however, the increasing civilization of nations who are nearer neighbours, may awaken the spirit of enterprise in some hardy bosom, and conduct a new adventurer farther over the vast plains of ice descried from the mountains on this occasion, by means of sledges, &c. as well as boats, both properly prepared and furnished, than it has ever yet been penetrated, or is ever likely to be penetrated, by ships and their customary boats alone. Not that any nearer approach to the pole, or even the discovery that it might be passed on solid ice, could ever facilitate, or render possible, the attainment of a way for navigating vessels through such insurmountable barriers of ice as nature has provided, at each pole, to sustain what may, perhaps, be denominated the two extremities of our globe. Still it would be desirable, not only as an object of curiosity, but of science. Those are much mistaken, who think there is nothing left for our posterity to discover.

"Whatever might be the decree of general satisfaction obtained from this voyage; which was so liberally fitted out by his majesty's command, and so ably conducted by those skilful and intrepid commanders, Lord Mulgrave and Admiral Lutwidge: to such individuals as had undertaken it for the attainment of nautical knowledge, scientific experience, or even the gratification of laudable curiosity, it had afforded a very considerable degree of profit and delight, to compensate the difficulties and perils so successfully surmounted; and, to the youthful Nelson, whose aspiring mind was desirous of embracing the whole of these interesting objects, it proved a continued scene of pleasure.

At the dreadful period when they were so long fast in the ice, he had earnestly solicited, and at length obtained, the command of a four-oared cutter, with twelve men, ingeniously constructed for the purpose of exploring channels, and breaking the ice: yet, while in this perilous situation, such was the irresistible force of the large bodies of floating ice, that several acres square were often seen lifted up between two much larger pieces, and becoming, as it were, one with them; and, afterwards, the piece, so formed, acting in the same manner on a second and third; which would probably have continued to be the effect, till the whole bay had been so filled with ice that the different pieces could have had no possible motion, had not the stream taken an unexpected turn, and providentially set the ice out of the bay.

An anecdote is related, as a proof of that cool intrepidity which this young mariner possessed, even among scenes of such stupendous horror, which seems well worthy of being also exhibited as a fine picture of filial affection. During one of the clear nights common to these high northern latitudes, young Nelson, notwithstanding the extreme severity of the cold, was missing from the ship. Diligent search being immediately made after him in vain, he was given up for lost. As the rays of the rising sun, however, began to open the horizon, the adventurous youth was discovered, with astonishment, on the ice, at a considerable distance, anxiously pursuing a huge polar bear. He carried a musket in his hand; but, the lock being injured, the piece would not go off: he was, therefore, endeavouring to weary the animal, that he might be able to effect his purpose with the butt-end. Captain Lutwidge, who had been extremely uneasy during his absence, reprimanded him, on his return, for quitting the ship without leave; and asked, in a severe tone, what motive could possibly induce him to commit so rash an action? All the manliness of the hero now subsiding into the simplicity of the child--"I wished, Sir," replied the ingenuous youth, "to get the skin for my father!" An answer which, doubtless, not only obtained him the pardon, but the praise, of Captain Lutwidge; and confirmed that ardent friendship which ever after subsisted between them.

Captain Phipps, too, had seen enough of the young adventurer, during this voyage, to form a high opinion of his character; but he had, under his own more particular care, another youth of much promise, the present Rear-Admiral Philip D'Auvergne, Prince of Bouillon, who made several of the original drawings which were afterwards engraved and published in his celebrated Journal of the Voyage. Though this young gentleman, who had been placed under Captain Phipps's protection by his noble patron, Lord Howe, possessed the advantage of having received instructions in the arts and sciences to which Horatio was, at that time, almost a stranger, the latter had liberality enough not only to admire, but to applaud, the ingenuity which he witnessed in a youth four years older than himself. He was present when some of these sketches were taken, and viewed the process with delight and attention; particularly, that pleasing and accurate delineation of the celebrated iceberg in Amsterdam Island, opposite where the ships lay; which measured three hundred feet high, and out of which a cascade of water was then flowing.

It may not be improper to mention, that these icebergs are large bodies of ice which fill the vallies between the lofty mountains; and present, towards the sea, an almost perpendicular face of a very lively light green colour. In these regions, it will readily be conceived, the numerous black mountains, white snow, and beautiful green of the ice, must form a very romantic and peculiar picture. Large pieces frequently break off from these icebergs on the Coast; and fall, with great noise, into the water: one such piece, which was observed to have floated out into the bay, grounded in fourteen fathom; yet was still fifty feet above the surface of the water, and preserved all the lustre of it's enchanting original colour. Thus, amidst the dreariest scenes, has nature bounteously provided that there shall still be something to delight the eye; amidst the most imminent dangers, something to animate the heart.

The pleasures and the perils of this voyage, however, were now equally at an end; but it's beneficial effects, and it's agreeable recollections, were never to be eradicated or effaced.

In October 1773, the Racehorse and Carcass were both paid off; and these friends and companions, fully sensible of each other's worth, separated with sentiments of a sincere mutual esteem.

Captain Suckling, as usual, welcomed the young hero on his return; and had the satisfaction to learn, from Captain Lutwidge, as well as from Captain Phipps, that his nephew was in all respects worthy of every encouragement that could be bestowed on him. There wanted not, however, this stimulus, in the bosom of that worthy man, to excite his affectionate regards for the promising son of his deceased sister. With the honest and feeling heart of a true British naval commander, he ever acted as a parent to all her children.

A squadron was, at this time, fitting out for the East Indies, under the command of Admiral Sir Edward Hughes. Horatio, delighted with the prospect of visiting regions so different from those which he had just quitted, and anxious to enjoy all the professional advantages derivable from so distant and interesting a voyage, earnestly solicited his esteemed uncle to obtain him a situation in one of the ships intended for this expedition. Captain Suckling, accordingly, procured him a birth under that gallant and able officer, Captain Farmer: who, since, in the year 1779, so nobly but unfortunately perished in the flames of the Quebec of thirty-two guns, which had accidentally taken fire, during it's engagement with La Surveillante of forty guns, off Ushant; which he refused to quit, though severely wounded, and was blown up with his ship, colours flying.

With this excellent commander, in the Sea-Horse of twenty guns, did the adventurous and heroic youth sail to the East Indies. He was, at first, stationed to watch in the fore-top; but Captain Farmer, who early discovered how very superior his abilities were to his age and appearance, soon placed him on the quarter-deck, and treated him with the most indulgent kindness. It may readily be supposed that, under such an officer, in the progress of a voyage to the East Indies, and the subsequent visits of the Sea-Horse to almost every part of the East Indies from Bengal to Bussorah, a youth of his talents must necessarily gain a large accession of nautical knowledge. Though there happened not, on this occasion, to be any opportunity offer for evincing the heroism and bravery of his mind, sufficient instances presented themselves of his unusual proficiency in seamanship, and of his mild and amiable manners, to conciliate the esteem not only of all with whom he more immediately acted, either as superiors, equals, or inferiors, but to attract the notice, and fix the friendly regards, of the commander in chief. From Sir Edward Hughes, he received many pleasing proofs of friendly attention, which he never forgot. He had, indeed, considerable claims to indulgence from his humane and generous superiors. The climate proved too powerfully relaxing for his delicate frame; and, braced as it had recently been, by the frozen atmosphere of the north, the sultry airs of these torrid regions were now rapidly undermining his constitution. Alarmed for the danger of a youth thus distant from his friends, whose life was ever precious, even from his tenderest infancy, to all who had opportunities of once knowing the goodness of his heart, Captain Farmer and Sir Edward Hughes united in recommending his return to England, as the only chance that remained for restoring him to health.

Captain James Pigot, now Admiral of the White, was at that time coming home with the Dolphin of twenty guns. To this gentleman's care, Horatio was particularly recommended by Sir Edward Hughes; and such were the tender and humane attentions of the worthy commander, that he may be considered as having been greatly instrumental in the preservation of a life which has since proved so substantially beneficial to the country. Such, indeed, were the salutary effects of Admiral Pigot's soothing kindness, and generous aids, added to the gradual change of air experienced on the passage to England, that his young charge arrived almost entirely restored to health, and again visited his beloved uncle.

That worthy and gallant gentleman, who was now become Comptroller of the Navy, having succeeded Sir Hugh Palliser in April 1775, received him with his accustomed benignity. His tenderness was alarmed at the ravages which he beheld in his nephew's countenance; and he resolved that, if he could not instantly reinstate his vigour, he would at least endeavour to recruit his spirits by the choicest of all professional cordials, an immediate and merited promotion.

On the 24th of September 1776, the Dolphin was paid off at Woolwich; and, on the 26th of the same month, three days before his nephew completed his eighteenth year, he received, through the comptroller's influence, an order from Sir James Douglas, then commanding in chief at Portsmouth, to act as lieutenant, in the Worcester of sixty-four guns, under Captain Mark Robinson. This meritorious officer, who afterwards distinguished himself in Admiral Keppel's memorable action of the 27th of July 1778; as well as in that of Admiral Greaves, off the Chesapeak, the 5th of September 1781, where he lost a leg; was then under sailing orders for Gibraltar, with a convoy. He had too much merit of his own, not soon to discover it in another; and was so well satisfied with his young officer, as to place the utmost confidence in his skill and prudence.

Under this able commander, he remained at sea, with various convoys, till the 2d of April 1777; and Admiral Robinson--for this worthy man was, in consequence of his misfortune, placed on the list of superannuated rear-admirals--has often been heard to remark, that he felt equally easy, during the night, when it was young Nelson's turn to watch, as when the oldest officer on board had charge of the ship.

These flattering testimonials to the merits of his nephew, which never failed to be obtained from every commander under whom he had yet served, could not but prove highly gratifying to an uncle in whose estimation he had always been held so dear: who had first nurtured him for the profession; and who, as soon as he could wield a sword, had presented him with an honourable and well-tried one of his own, which he charged him never to relinquish but with life.

The pleasure thus received by his delighted uncle, was constantly communicated to the venerable and worthy pastor of Burnham-Thorpe: and the anxieties of the father, for the perils to which his son must necessarily be exposed, were calmed by that pious resignation to the will of Heaven, in every situation of duty, with which he had early endeavoured to fortify the hearts of all his offspring; and which taught himself to hope, that perseverance in good would always be likely to receive the highest degree of requisite protection and safety. Nor did he fail, to correspond with his son, at every convenient opportunity; and to inculcate, in writing, those pious and paternal precepts which had so often flowed from his venerable and revered lips.

On the 8th of April 1777, within a single week of quitting the Worcester, this youth, who had not yet completed the nineteenth year of his age, passed his professional examination for a lieutenancy; and, on the day following, received his commission as second lieutenant of the Lowestoffe of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain William Locker, since Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital, in which situation he died on the 26th of December 1800.

This ship, in consequence of the dispute with the American colonists, who had, on the 4th of July 1776, declared themselves free and independent states, under the name of the Thirteen United Provinces, and which terminated in their separation from the mother-country, was ordered to the West Indies; there to remain, as one of the squadron under the good and gallant Admiral Gayton: an old officer of such distinguished activity and success, that his cruizers captured, while he commanded on the Jamaica station, no less than two hundred and thirty-five American vessels.

The worthy Comptroller of the Navy having thus secured rank, and a prospect of active employ, for his meritorious nephew, they parted with most affectionate adieus, and in the fullest hopes of again meeting. This, however, was not to happen: they never more beheld each other! His uncle was elected member of parliament for Portsmouth, in 1778: and died, in the month of July, that year; leaving a handsome legacy to his nephew, as well as to all the rest of his sister's children.

Captain Locker, who was a very friendly man, as well as an intelligent and skilful commander, became greatly attached to his young lieutenant, and very liberal of scientific and professional instruction. The youth had been powerfully recommended; and, as usual, he recommended himself still more powerfully. On his voyage to Jamaica, therefore, where he had before sailed, in a merchantman, with his early friend Mr. Rathbone, he was now a second time receiving nautical instruction; nor did he at present feel inclined to cherish, whatever he might formerly have done, the smallest dread of any professional disappointments in the naval service of his country. He had been fortunate in patronage; and he had also been fortunate enough, through the circumspection of his excellent uncle, to have been constantly placed under none but skilful, brave, and worthy commanders.

Shortly after the Lowestoffe's arrival at Jamaica, a circumstance took place, during a cruize off the island, which affords a striking proof of that inherent firmness of character, and cool presence of mind, for which this heroic youth was always remarkable.

In a strong gale of wind, and a heavy sea, an American letter of marque was discovered by Captain Locker; which, after a short chace, finding it could not escape, struck it's flag to the Lowestoffe. The captain, accordingly, ordered his first-lieutenant to board and take possession of the captured vessel; but, owing to the tremendous sea which was then running, he found himself unable, though a very brave man, to approach sufficiently near, with the boat, to get on board the prize, and had the extreme mortification of being obliged to go back without effecting his purpose. On his return to the Lowestoffe, Captain Locker, who was not a little chagrined at the disappointment, hastily exclaimed--"Have I, then, no officer who can board the prize?" The master, at hearing these words, instantly ran to the gangway, that he might jump into the boat; but the intrepid second-lieutenant, who had been full as attentive and alert as himself, suddenly stopped him--"It is my turn, now," cried young Nelson; "if I come back, too, it will be your's." He then leaped into the boat; and, from his superior expertness in managing it, soon contrived to get on board, and take possession of his first prize.

This, though no real disgrace to the first-lieutenant, was certainly a very high honour to such a strippling as the second; who owed his success, on the present occasion, as he did at many future periods, to the practical knowledge of seamanship which he had always, from his first entering on the service, been sagaciously solicitous to acquire. He seems to have been early of opinion, that a commander who is not capable of being a master, in every sense of the word, must always, necessarily, have a master, in it's worst sense, on board his own ship. This maxim is earnestly recommended to every British youth who enters into the naval service of his country.

Captain Locker was quite charmed with his young lieutenant, and heartily congratulated him on the event. He assured him of his constant friendship; and encouraged him always to ask any indulgence which it might be in his power to grant.

The Lowestoffe, from it's situation with the fleet, had at this time but small scope for active service, Lieutenant Nelson, therefore, ever anxious for professional employ, and ever thirsting for enlarged improvement in experimental seamanship, requested that Captain Locker would favour him with the command of the schooner which was attached as a tender to the frigate. This being readily complied with, he immediately proceeded, in that small vessel, to render himself a complete pilot for all the intricate passages of those islands, which are situated to the northward of St. Domingo, or Hispaniola, and known by the general appellation of the Keys; and soon became as familiarly acquainted with the navigation of them, as he had long been with that of the British channel.

On the 3d of March 1778, Sir Peter Parker, who had, on the preceding 29th of January, been promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the White, arrived at Port Royal, in the Bristol of fifty guns; having been appointed to succeed the brave old Admiral Gayton, as commander in chief on the Jamaica station, who was desirous of retiring to England. He, accordingly, sailed; and, attended by his usual good fortune to the last, added another American capture, of considerable value, on his passage; making, in all, two hundred and thirty-six prizes.

The character which Lieutenant Nelson had acquired, occasioned him soon to be taken notice of by Sir Peter Parker; who immediately appointed him third-lieutenant of his own flag-ship, the Bristol. The pleasing manners of Lieutenant Nelson, added to his manifest spirit and talents, so perfectly gained the esteem of the commander in chief, as well as of his amiable and excellent lady, to whom he had been kindly introduced on shore, that he was promoted, in the course of a very few months, by the regular gradations, to be first-lieutenant, and even enabled to conclude his services in that rank.

On the 8th of December, in this very year, he was appointed, by Sir Peter Parker, Commander of the Badger brig; in which he was, shortly after, ordered to protect the Musquito shore, and the Bay of Honduras, from the depredations of American privateers. So ably did he acquit himself in the discharge of this duty, and so greatly had he endeared himself to the settlers during the short time he was among them, that they unanimously voted him their thanks for his services, and sensibly expressed their regrets at the necessity of his quitting the station.

While he commanded the Badger, being at anchor in Montego Bay, Jamaica, his majesty's ship the Glasgow, of twenty guns, Captain Thomas Lloyd, came into the bay. At six o'clock in the evening, about two hours and a half after it's arrival, the steward going down into the after-hold, with a lighted candle in his hand, for the purpose of clandestinely drawing some rum, carelessly set fire to the whole; and, notwithstanding every effort was immediately made by Captain Lloyd, his officers, and crew, the ship was entirely consumed. No sooner, however, did the humane and generous commander of the Badger perceive the nature of the disaster, than he hastened to the dreadful scene; and, by his unceasing exertions, and astonishing presence of mind, the crew were saved from the flames. At his suggestion, the powder was instantly ordered to be thrown overboard; a measure to which all the other ships in the harbour, and even the town itself, probably owed their preservation. The inhabitants, indeed, were thrown into great confusion on the occasion: for the ship's broadside lay towards the town, and all the guns were loaded; so that they went off as the fire approached them, and damaged several houses, but happily did no other execution. The only life lost, by this dreadful accident, was that of the master; who had been snatched out of the flames, miserably scorched, and died next morning on board the Badger. From the smallness of this vessel, it had no place to shelter such a number of men; and the constant rains experienced while sailing for Port Royal, greatly affected the health of the ship's company, who fell sick very fast: but, at length all the sufferers were landed in safety.

The judgment and humanity manifested on this trying occasion, exhibited the heroic commander of this little brig in a new and amiable light. They obtained him the gratitude of every one belonging to the unfortunate ship, and the praise and admiration of all to whom the affair was related.

In the mean time, his friend, Captain Locker, of the Lowestoffe, who had been suffering ill health, from the climate, almost ever since his arrival, found it necessary, for the preservation of his existence, to quit that ship, arid return to England, about the middle of the year 1779. It was soon after this period, that Sir Peter Parker, who was in February advanced to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue, detached a small squadron, among which was the Lowestoffe, then commanded by Captain Charles Parker, for the purpose of intercepting some Spanish register-ships, in the Bay of Dulce. The British squadron, under the Honourable Captain John Luttrell, found that these register-ships had taken shelter under the strong fortress of St. Fernando de Omoa, which is situated on the south side of the Bay of Honduras, and on the Gulph of Dulce: but, fortunately falling in with the Porcupine sloop, Captain Pakenham, which had a short time before been sent to co-operate with a small detachment of troops under the command of Captain Dalrymple, dispatched by the Governor of Jamaica, to drive away the Spaniards from infesting the baymen on the Musquito and Bay of Honduras shores, which service they had completely effected, it was judiciously agreed, between the naval and military commanders, to unite their forces, and proceed immediately to the attack of Fort Omoa, Accordingly, on the 16th of October, they stormed and carried the fort: taking, and carrying away, the register-ships, on board of which were about three millions of piastres; as well as two hundred and fifty quintals of quicksilver, found on shore in the fortress. From the advantages of participating in this brilliant enterprise, Captain Locker had been thus deprived by want of health; and his second lieutenant, singular as it may seem, by an excess of patronage.

While these transactions were taking place, however, Captain Nelson had, on the 11th of June 1779, obtained his post-rank, through the same generous influence as withdrew him from the now fortunate Lowestoffe. He had, therefore, neither reason nor inclination to complain, for he had not yet completed his twenty-first year. In the bloom and vigour of youth, with an age of experience in the service, acquired within nine years, he was well qualified for the situation to which he had been thus liberally promoted.

The possession of Fort Omoa continued little more than a month. A considerable body of Spaniards invested it, on the 28th of November; and the garrison and crew of the Porcupine, left for it's protection, were so reduced by a pestilential disorder which raged among them, that they were constrained to evacuate the fort, after spiking the guns and embarking the ammunition and stores.

The first ship to which Captain Nelson was appointed, after his advancement to post rank, was the Hinchinbroke. Soon after which, in July 1779, the report of an intended expedition against Jamaica, by Count D'Estaigne, with a fleet of one hundred and twenty-five sail, men of war and transports; and having, as it was said, twenty-five thousand troops ready to embark, at the Cape; occasioned every exertion to be used for the defence of the island: and, such was the general confidence in the skill and bravery of Captain Nelson, that both the admiral and the governor agreed to entrust him with the command of the battery of Fort Charles, considered as one of the most important posts in Jamaica.

This threatened invasion, however, was never attempted: and, in the month of January 1780, an expedition began to be prepared, from Jamaica, against the Spanish territories in America.

Of this important undertaking, in which Captain Nelson bore so distinguished a part, a most interesting account has been given by Dr. Moseley, Physician to Chelsea Hospital, in his celebrated Treatise on Tropical Diseases, on Military Operations, and on the Climate of the West Indies. This gentleman was then Surgeon-General of the Island of Jamaica; and, from his intimacy with Captain Nelson, had every opportunity of knowing all such particulars as did not come under his own immediate observation. It's uncommon excellence, notwithstanding it's extreme length as an extract, will prevent it's seeming tedious.

"This expedition," says Dr. Moseley, "was directed by General
Dalling, at that time Governor of Jamaica. The plan, wherever it
originated, was judiciously designed; and highly approved by Lord
George Germaine, then Secretary of State for the American
Department.

"The intent was, to cut off the communication of the Spaniards,
between their Northern and Southern American dominions, by El Rio
San Juan--or, the River St. John, as it is called by us--and the
Lake Nicaragua; from the interior boundary of which, to the South
Sea, is only four or five leagues, through a level country. Thus, a
connection from the northern to the southern sea, was to have been
kept up by us; a chain of posts established; and a communication
opened, and protected, with an extensive coast, and all the
richest, provinces of South America.

"Every person acquainted with the geography of the Spanish
territories, of the defenceless state of this approach to them, and
of the insurrections that had then actually taken place in Santa
Fé, Popayan, and many parts of Peru, formed the most sanguine
expectations. Happy was every man who had hopes of bearing any part
in the enterprise. Enthusiasm was never carried to greater height,
than by those who had promised to themselves the glory of shaking
Spain to her foundation. The colours of England were, in their
imagination, already even on the walls of Lima.

"And so, indeed, they might have been, had General Dalling met with
no obstacles in arranging the business in Jamaica: and, had there
been no delay in sending out the force from England; which did not
arrive till August, when it ought to have been on the Spanish Main
in January.

"The obstacles experienced by General Dalling, were many; and,
from various causes.

"A long continued martial law, and military preparations against a
threatened invasion by the French, had almost exhausted the island
of military stores and provisions. There was but little of either,
excepting in the king's ordnance and victualling magazines. Over
these the admiral claimed an exclusive command and controul, and
exercised his authority.

"This embarrassment, not to be viewed without regret, was however
in a great measure surmounted, by the powerful resources, and
spirited exertions, of a worthy and disinterested individual,
Hercules Ross, Esq. a merchant of Kingston, who enabled the general
to carry his government's orders into execution.

"Misunderstandings, opposition, and delays, the ruin of many
military operations, were the origin of the failure of this. But
even these perplexities and disappointments, great as they were,
would not have defeated the expedition; or, at least, the Spaniards
might have been saddled with the expence of it; if we could only
have made a lodgment on the lake, to have kept open the river:
which might have been done, had the first detachment that General
Dalling sent taken San Juan Castle in two hours, instead of sitting
down formally before it for eleven days.

"The first detachment, consisting of about two hundred men, from
the sixtieth and seventy-ninth regiments; one hundred of the Loyal
Irish Corps; and two hundred Jamaica Volunteers; left Jamaica,
under the convoy of the Hinchinbroke, on the 3d of February 1780;
and directed their course to the Musquito shore, to take with them
some of the Musquito Indians, who were waiting for their arrival.

"On the 11th of February, they arrived at Cape Gratias à Dios;
disembarked, and encamped about a mile from the sea, on Wank's
Savanna; an unhealthful situation.

"Here they were joined by a party of men from the seventy-ninth
regiment, from Black River.

"On the 10th of March, the troops re-embarked, and took their
departure from Cape Gratias à Dios; and anchored at several places
on the Musquito shore, to take up our allies, the Indians, who were
to furnish proper boats for the service of the river, and to
proceed with them on the expedition: and, on the 24th of March,
they arrived at the River San Juan.

"San Juan river is the northern branch, or mouth of Lake Nicaragua;
and is situated in north latitude twelve degrees, west longitude
eighty-three degrees forty-five minutes.

"The heat of the climate must necessarily be excessive; and this is
augmented, in the course of the river, by high woods, without
sufficient intervals, in many places, to admit of being refreshed
by the winds.

"The river has, in it's course, many noisome marshes on it's sides;
and the trees are so thick, as to intercept the rays of the sun:
consequently, the earth beneath their branches is covered with
rotten leaves and putrid vegetables. Hence arise copious
collections of foul vapours, which clog the atmosphere. These unite
with large clouds, and precipitate in rains. The rains are no
sooner over, than the sun breaks forth, and shines with scorching
heat. The surface of the ground, in places not covered with trees,
is scarcely dry, before the atmosphere is again loaded by another
collection of clouds and exhalations, and the sun is again
concealed.

"In the rainy seasons of the year, months successively pass away in
this sort of vicissitudes, without the least diminution of heat;
excepting at nights, when the air is poisoned by noxious chilling
dews. But, sometimes, during the periodical rains, which begin
about the middle of April, and with uncertain intervals of dry
weather end late in November, the torrents of water that fall, for
weeks together, are prodigious, which give the river a tremendous
aspect; and, from their suddenness and impetuosity, cannot be
imagined, by a European, to portend any thing but a deluge. This
bursting of the waters above, and the raging of the river below,
with the blackness of the nights, accompanied with horrid tempests
of lightning and thunder, constitute a magnificent scene of terror
unknown but in the tropic world.

"Of the little army destined for the San Juan expedition after some
delay at the mouth of the river, two hundred regulars, with
ammunition and stores; proceeded up the river with the Indians, in
their several crafts. It being now near the end of the dry season,
the river contained very little water, and the shoals and sandy
beaches rendered the passage difficult. The men were frequently
obliged to quit their boats, and unite their strength in the water,
to get them through some shallow channels. This labour continued
for several days after they left the mouth of the river, till they
arrived in deeper water; then, they made a quicker progress.
However, they met with many obstacles, by currents, and occasional
rapids or falls; which would have been insurmountable, but for the
skill of the Indians in managing the boats on those occasions.

"On the 9th of April, this advanced party arrived at a little
island up the river, called St. Bartholomew; which they took, after
receiving a few shot from the enemy, by which two men were wounded.

"This island is situated about sixteen miles below San Juan castle;
and was occupied by the Spaniards as a look-out, and defended by
sixteen or eighteen men, in a small semicircular battery of nine or
ten swivels. It was necessary for our purposes, as it commands the
navigation of the river in a rapid and difficult part of it.

"On the 11th of April, the troops arrived before the Castle of San
Juan; and, on the 13th, the siege commenced. The ammunition and
stores were landed two or three miles below the castle; and
transported through the back woods, to the place where the attack
began. San Juan castle is situated sixty-nine miles up the river,
from the mouth, and thirty-two from the Lake of Nicaragua; and, is
a navigation of nine days: but, for loaded boats, much longer, from
the harbour up to it. The return from it, down by the current, is
made in a day and a half.

"On the 24th of April, the castle surrendered. During the siege,
two or three more were killed, and nine or ten wounded.

"From the unfortunate delay before the castle, which surrendered
when it was summoned, the season for the spring periodical rains,
with their concomitant diseases, was now advanced: and the little
army had lost the opportunity of pushing rapidly on, out of those
horrid woods--where there are a multitude of antelopes, monkeys,
parrots, vipers, and deadly venomous serpents--by which they were
environed, to the dry, pleasant, and healthful plains, and
agreeable towns, of Grenada and Leon, near the lake, in the
province of Nicaragua; which, from it's salubrity and situation, is
justly termed, by the Spaniards, Mahomet's Paradise: and where they
might have maintained themselves, with the reinforcement which
followed them from Jamaica on the 10th of April, till a road for
carriages might have been made from Blue Fields Harbour to the
lake, and the season would have permitted farther reinforcement,
for the completion of a glorious enterprise; as the natives of the
country were ready to revolt, and only waited for a prospect of
success. But here they were shut up in the castle, as soon as they
were in possession of it. The troops and Indians were attacked with
fluxes, and intermittents, and in want of almost every necessary:
for the river was become so swoln and rapid by the rains, that the
harbour where the provisions and stores were was tedious, and
almost impracticable. Here the troops, deserted by those Indians
who had not already perished, languished in extreme misery, and
gradually mouldered away; till there was not sufficient strength
alive to attend the sick, nor even to bury the dead.

"Thus reduced, in the month of September, they were obliged to
abandon their flattering conquest, and return to the harbour:
leaving a few men behind, who were the most likely to live, to keep
possession of the castle, if possible, till farther orders should
be received from Jamaica.

"The Spaniards re-took the castle, as soon as the season permitted;
and, with it, those who had not strength enough to make their
escape.

"The crews of the vessels and transports that convoyed and carried
the troops, suffered considerably by diseases which the season
produced, while lying on the coast, and a thousand seamen lost
their lives.

"Of about eighteen hundred people who were sent to different posts,
at different embarkations, to connect and form the various
dependencies of this expedition, few of the Europeans retained
their health above sixteen days, and not more than three hundred
and eighty ever returned; and those, chiefly, in a miserable
condition. It was otherwise with the negroes who were employed on
this occasion. Few of them were ill; and the remainder returned to
Jamaica in as good health as they went from it.

"The survivors of the party, after they left San Juan Castle,
embarked for Blue Fields, an English settlement about sixty miles
to the north of San Juan River, where most of them died.

"The climate of San Juan was not more destructive to the human
frame, than the harbour was to the ships: and, for the benefit of
future naval operations, I think it is important to mention, here,
that there is an absolute necessity for having every vessel
employed on that coast copper-bottomed; especially, when there is a
probability of detention: for, in our expedition, the bottoms of
the ships, not being coppered, which went with the first equipment
from Jamaica, were in a short time so entirely eaten by the worms,
as to become useless; and, had not fresh ships been dispatched from
Jamaica, the remains of the troops must have perished there, for
want of transports to bring them away.

"Lord Nelson, Duke of Bronte, then Captain Nelson, was the person
who commanded the Hinchinbroke man of war, the convoy of the
expedition. On his authority I state, that the fever which
destroyed the crews of the different vessels, invariably attacked
them from about twenty to thirty days after their arrival in the
harbour: that, in his own ship, of two hundred men, eighty-seven
were seized, and confined to their beds, in one night; that one
hundred and forty-five were buried there; and, that not more than
ten survived the expedition!

"In mentioning this illustrious character," adds Dr. Moseley, "to
whose skill and valour the British empire is so much indebted, I
cannot conceal, that I have great pleasure in recording, that it
was on our San Juan expedition he commenced his career of glory.

"His capacious mind gave, on this dangerous and dreadful service,
an early specimen of those splendid elements, which have since
decorated, with never-fading laurels, the English naval military
fame; with deeds unparalleled in history, with atchievements beyond
the hope of envy.

"When the unfortunate contentions alluded to had diffused their
pernicious effects, slackened the ardour for the public-service,
and destroyed the success of the expedition by anticipation, he did
not suffer any narrow party spirit to influence his conduct He was
as zealous as intrepid.

"His country's honour, was his party! A brilliant example to all
military men. He did more than what he might, if he chose, have
considered as his duty. Where any thing was to be done, he saw no
difficulties.

"Not contented with having carried the armament safe to the harbour
of San Juan, he accompanied and assisted the troops in all their
difficulties, and remained with them till the castle surrendered.

"He was the first on shore, at the attack of St. Bartholomew,
followed by a few brave seamen and soldiers, in the face of a
severe fire. The undauntedness of the act frightened the Spaniards;
who, from the nature of the ground, might have put him and his
party to death: but they ran away, and abandoned the battery.

"By his example and perseverance, the Indians and seamen were
encouraged through their toil, in forcing the boats, against the
current, up the river: otherwise, not a man would have seen San
Juan Castle. When they arrived at the castle--as prompt in thought,
as bold in action--he advised the carrying it, instantly, by
assault. That his advice was not followed, this recital is a
lamentable testimony!"

Such is the grand outline of Dr. Moseley's history of this unfortunate expedition; in the miscarriage of which, it must not be dissembled that, among other causes, Colonel Polson appears in some degree inculpated. It cannot, therefore, be improper to add, at least, the account which the Colonel himself officially transmitted to Governor Dalling, the day after the surrender of Fort Juan; and which, on the 18th of July 1780, appeared in the London Gazette. His liberal praises of Captain Nelson, the first ever conveyed to the public, or possibly to government, would alone render it sufficiently interesting.

"When I reached Cape Gratias à Dios, there was not an Indian to be
seen: some villains, there, having taken pains to persuade them,
that the English army had come merely with an intent of enslaving
them, and sending them to Jamaica. It was, therefore, some time,
before any of them ventured to come in. I took the opportunity of
sending them small presents, by one of their people who had
ventured down to observe our motions. He, being acquainted with Mr.
Campbell, was undeceived by him, and brought to me; which had the
desired effect, as most of the tribes came in very soon after.

"Your excellency's letter of the 17th of March, I received the
20th, just as I entered the River St. John. I shall ever retain a
grateful sense of the sentiments you was therein pleased to express
for me: and I am sorry that the many delays I met at the cape, and
other places between that and the harbour of St. John, from the
want of craft, and the backwardness of the Indians in coming out,
prevented my operations keeping pace with your excellency's
expectations. I, however, hope you will do me the justice to
believe, that no time was lost, which could possibly be saved,
situated as I was. It was the 3d of March, before any Black River
crafts arrived, and they were the only ones then provided. It is
true, the Indian governor promised a great many: but, when I came
to his country, there was not a single one ready; and I got them,
at last, with very great difficulty. The superintendant was
entirely deceived by the Indians, in the number of crafts and men;
and still more so, in point of time.

"Captain Nelson, then of the Hinchinbroke, came up with thirty-four
seamen, a serjeant, and twelve marines. I want words to express the
obligations I owe that gentleman. He was the first, on every
service, whether by day or by night. There was scarcely a gun
fired, but was pointed by him, or Captain Despard, chief engineer,
who has exerted himself on every occasion. I am persuaded, if our
shot had held out, we should have had the fort a week sooner. As
Captain Nelson goes to Jamaica, he can inform you of every delay,
and point of service, as well as I could; for, he knows my very
thoughts.

"The bearer, Lieutenant Mounsey, can inform your excellency of many
things that may escape my memory. He is a very good officer, and
commanded the party I sent to reconnoitre the look-out: and began
the attack of it, in concert with Captain Despard and Captain
Nelson; who, with his seamen, volunteered that duty."

It is easy to perceive, at this early period, the singular heroism of Captain Nelson's character; as well in the slight but forcible delineation, sketched on the instant by Colonel Polson, as in the more leisurely and finished picture of Dr. Moseley's masterly composition.

In both, we behold him seeking every opportunity to assist the enterprise, with the most magnanimous zeal, and the soundest discretion. Without his vigorous and skilful exertions, indeed, as Dr. Moseley remarks, it is more than probable that not a man among them would ever have reached San Juan Castle.

It was at the period while this brave and good man was thus honourably and actively engaged, that a circumstance occurred, which seems to indicate that he must have been under the peculiar protection of Providence.

Having, one night, as was usual with him, while proceeding by land to the scene of action, had his cot slung between two trees, he slept very soundly till the morning; when he was early awakened, and not a little startled, by a lizard's passing over his face. He now suddenly arose; and, on hastily turning down the bed-cloaths, a large snake was discovered lying at his feet, without having offered him the smallest injury, though it was of a well known venomous species. The surrounding Indians, who beheld this singular spectacle with astonishment--like the barbarians of Melita, when the Apostle Paul shook off the viper--began to consider him as a sort of divinity, and determined to follow him wherever he went. They now, in fact, eagerly flocked after him, in crowds, with the idea that no harm could possibly come to them while they were in his presence. This occurrence, therefore, independent of it's extreme singularity, had an effect very favourable to the purposes of the expedition.

Though, however. Captain Nelson providentially escaped not only the venom of the snake, but the pestilential catastrophe which afterwards befel almost every individual of his unfortunate ship's company, as well as the land forces with whom he entered Fort Juan; he was, nevertheless, in a few days, violently seized with the contagion: and, fatigued and disappointed as he had been, in the attainment of what now manifestly appeared to him of little or no consequence, for even the treasure of the castle had been removed before it's surrender, he was sinking fast to the grave; with scarcely a hope, or even a wish, to survive the brave fellows who were every day falling around him.

While he lay in this deplorable state, the reinforcement of troops which had immediately been sent from Jamaica, on the first news of the surrender of Fort Juan, brought intelligence that Captain Bonnovier Glover, the commander of the Janus of forty-four guns, died on the 21st of March, and that Sir Peter Parker had appointed Captain Nelson to succeed him. This kind promotion, he has been often heard to say, certainly saved his life. He immediately sailed to Jamaica, on board the Victor sloop, that he might take possession of the Janus; and hope, that never entirely abandoned him, began again to invigorate his heart. His spirits, however, were always beyond his strength; though that, when in full health, was by no means feeble, as his country's enemies had many subsequent opportunities to experience.

The air of Jamaica, though far less unwholesome than that which he had just quitted on the Spanish main, is not very invigorating to European constitutions; and, instead of it's restoring him, he every day grew worse and worse. Sir Peter Parker, therefore, kindly invited him to make a home of his penn, which is the name of a West Indian villa; where he received the most friendly attentions from Lady Parker, and the skilfullest medicinal aids. All, however, proved ineffectual. His extreme anxiety to get on board the ship to which he had been so honourably appointed, tended now to augment his indisposition; and he was reluctantly compelled, like his worthy friend, Captain Locker, to depart for England. This, too, unwilling to resign his ship, he positively declared, till the last, he never would do, while a single person could be found who was of opinion that he might possibly recover without quitting the island. No such person was obtainable; and, accordingly, in a state of the most extreme debility, towards the close of this year, he returned home, in his majesty's ship the Lion, commanded by the Honourable William Cornwallis, the now celebrated admiral; whose kind care and attention, during their passage, greatly contributed to preserve his valuable life.

On his arrival in England, though then barely in existence, and almost wholly without the use of his limbs, such was the excessive ardour of his mind for employ, that nothing could prevent him from being immediately carried to the Admiralty, and applying for a ship. "This they readily promised me," he jocosely observed, soon after, to one of his relations, "thinking it not possible for me to live."

He now went, directly, to Bath: where he was, at first, under the necessity of being carried to the springs, and wherever else he wanted to go; and, for several weeks afterwards, constrained to use crutches. These, however, he at length threw aside, much sooner than his friends at the Admiralty had expected; though it was nearly three months before he entirely recovered the use of his limbs. In a letter which he wrote, from this place, dated February 15, 1781, to his friend Captain Locker, he observes that he is, thank God, very near perfectly restored; having the complete use of all his limbs, except his left arm, of which he can hardly tell the ailment: from the shoulder to his fingers ends felt as if half dead, but the faculty gave him hopes that it would all go off. He expresses his anxiety to be employed; and, as if willing to demonstrate that his spirits were more lively than his limb, he says, with considerable pleasantry and wit, speaking of three portraits--one of the present Admiral George Montague, another of Sir Charles Pole, and the third of himself, which was then painting by Mr. Rigaud as a present for Captain Locker--"I hope, when I come to town, to see a fine _trio_ in your room. When you get the pictures, I must be in the middle; for, God knows, without good _supporters_, I shall fall to the ground."

After the restoration of his health, he paid a visit to his worthy and venerable father, at Burnham-Thorpe; as well as to his amiable eldest sister, then recently married to Mr. Bolton, who resided at Wells, about five miles distant, and other relatives and friends in the county of Norfolk: few of whom, except his father, had ever once beheld him for the last eleven years. The felicity of such a meeting is not to be described, and it can only be conceived by those who have experienced similar sensations.

At length, in August 1781, Captain Nelson was appointed to the command of the Albemarle of twenty-eight guns. In this ship, which had been a French merchantman, captured two years before, and purchased for the king's service, his delicate constitution underwent a new and severe trial; being employed, the whole winter, convoying and cruizing in the North Seas. The inconvenience, too, as well as the dangers, of this service, were in no slight degree augmented, by the mast's having been made much too long for the ship; a circumstance which had, at several times, nearly occasioned it to be overset. These perils, too, were wholly unattended with what may be denominated any success; as the Dutch, the greater part of the time, had not a single trading vessel at sea: and, though a privateer, said to be the noted pirate, Fall, stole into the fleet which the Albemarle was convoying, it got clear off, after an hour's chace, owing to the necessity of Captain Nelson's returning to the unprotected ships.

On their arrival in England, the mast was taken out, and properly shortened; and, such other improvements being made, as suggested themselves to the captain, it was, at length, far from a bad old ship. He always, however, humorously insisted, that the French had taught the Albemarle to run away; as it was never a good sailer, except when going directly before the wind.